Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 632(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“You didn’t just pick anyone. You picked a Killeen. We have history. It would look exceedingly bad if we let another Killeen run away and make us lose face.”
“I can control Aislinn.”
Balor nodded. “I still don’t understand why.”
Seamus had said the same. I didn’t really know why either. All I could come up with was, “She reminds me of Ireland.”
When Lorcan and Gulliver had talked about marriage, I’d expected months, possibly years, of planning, especially since I was marrying a Devaney.
I didn’t expect to be married off less than two weeks later, only surrounded by Lorcan’s men and their wives and girlfriends. I’d always wanted my family to be at my wedding, but I couldn’t bring myself to let this charade count. This marriage had an expiration date, for me at least. The moment I found Imogen, I’d return to Ireland and Lorcan would certainly find a new woman to pester.
Maeve gave a satisfied nod as she attached another white flower to my hair. “That dress is a stunner, and so are you!”
With flushed cheeks flushed and teary eyes, she was more excited about today than I was. She’d even invited me over to her place two days ago to watch movies and get drunk, our version of a bachelorette party. I was incredibly grateful for her support.
I had to admit I really loved my wedding dress. The embroidered Irish flowers and clover leaves were absolutely stunning. The only thing I could have done without was the small five-leaf clover. I wondered if Lorcan had told Talulla to add it like a stamp of ownership.
“Are you nervous?” Maeve asked.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t—not yet. It felt too surreal, like a nightmare I would wake from very soon. I hadn’t seen Lorcan since our meeting at church. Maybe that was also why my anxiety wasn’t very high. I quickly shook my head.
Maeve squeezed my upper arm. “I’m sure that’ll change once you see Lorcan. He looks very dapper in his wedding outfit, but I shouldn’t reveal too much.”
It was endearing that Maeve thought I would be ecstatic at the sight of Lorcan. I didn’t doubt that my anxiety would spike once I saw him. After his threat at church, I definitely worried about being alone with him.
A knock sounded. Maeve rushed over to the door of the hotel room Lorcan had booked for me so I could get ready. It was only a few blocks from the church and only had about twenty rooms. The room we were in was a small room with twin beds but more than enough to put on a dress. “Mr. Devaney,” Maeve said, full of respect.
I turned, shocked. Was Lorcan’s father here? I’d never seen Devaney senior, but I hadn’t thought anyone from Lorcan’s family would show up today. My anxiety skyrocketed. Maybe Lorcan was more serious about our marriage than I initially thought.
“Mrs. O’Leary,” a deep male voice said. It didn’t sound old enough to belong to Lorcan’s father, and when a tall man with a frame similar to Lorcan’s stepped past Maeve, I realized it must be one of his brothers, presumably the oldest, the head of the Devaney clan in Ireland.
From behind, I might have mistaken this man for Lorcan, though this man’s hair was shorter. Their eyes and expression were very different, though. He seemed reserved, restrained, almost impassive. Lorcan gave off the chaotic energy of a wild beast in a cage.
“I’m Balor Devaney, Lorcan’s older brother, and I’ll lead you down the aisle.”
“I’m Aislinn Killeen,” I said stupidly, as if he didn’t know exactly who I was. I was too dumbfounded by his presence.
“Aislinn, then?”
“Of course,” I said. I glanced at Maeve, who looked a little lost.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Already?” I flushed at how that sounded, but I doubted anyone believed this wedding was out of love. Anyone with a brain had to know that Lorcan was forcing me to marry him.
Balor’s expression remained indifferent. “We need five minutes to get to the church and the ceremony starts in ten minutes.”
I had completely lost track of time.
“I’ll go ahead. Seamus is probably expecting me.”
I nodded to show Maeve it was okay. With a supportive smile, she slid out of the room. Balor motioned to the door and I quickly walked past him. A black limousine waited in front of the building.
Balor sat in the front with the driver, which was fine with me. His presence unsettled me. When the car finally came to a stop, my heartrate quickened. This was it. I was going to become a Devaney. To keep my rising panic at bay, I had to remind myself that this was only temporary. Imogen, you owe me big time.
The door opened and Balor held his hand out to me. I allowed him to help me out of the car and to lead me into the vestibule of the church. A Celtic harp, followed by an Uilleann pipe, began to play. My heart swelled with warmth at the familiar sounds of my home, and I felt strangely emotional. I’d always wanted my wedding to be accompanied by traditional music, the soft tugs of the harp and the sharp calls of the pipe. That Lorcan had picked our home country’s music made me tolerate him a tad more.